John Calvin Commentary 1 Timothy 3:13

"For they that have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." — 1 Timothy 3:13 (ASV)

For they who have served well. Because of a practice that began one or two centuries after the apostles' death—choosing presbyters from the order of deacons—this passage has commonly been interpreted as describing an elevation to a higher rank. It is as if the Apostle called those who had faithfully fulfilled the office of a deacon to the honor of being presbyters.

Personally, although I do not deny that the order of deacons might sometimes have been a training ground from which presbyters were chosen, I understand Paul’s words more simply to mean that those who have fulfilled this ministry properly are worthy of significant honor. This is because it is not a lowly employment but a highly honorable office.

By this expression, he suggests how advantageous it is for the Church to have this office fulfilled by chosen men, because its holy fulfillment earns esteem and reverence.

How absurd it is for Papists to maintain that, in appointing deacons, they do what Paul commands! First, why do they appoint deacons except to carry the cup in a procession and to entertain the eyes of the ignorant with I know not what ridiculous displays? Besides, they do not even follow this practice, for not a single deacon has been appointed during the last five hundred years, except so that, after taking this step, he may immediately rise to the priesthood. What audacity it is to boast of elevating to a higher rank those who have ministered well, when they confer their priesthood on none but those who have never participated in any aspect of the former office!

And much liberty in the faith. He adds this with good reason, for nothing tends to produce liberty as much as a good conscience and a life free from wrongdoing and reproach; conversely, timidity must be the fate of those with a bad conscience. And if they sometimes make a bold boast of liberty, it is still not consistent or constant, nor does it have any real substance. For this reason, he also describes the kind of liberty. "In the faith," he says, which is in Christ; that is, that they may serve Christ with greater boldness. On the other hand, those who have acted shamefully in fulfilling their office may be said to have their mouths shut and their hands tied, and are unfit for doing good, because no trust—no authority—is given to them.